I listened to her Q &A and was relieved to hear her say so, especially after the recent suspect maneuverings of other prominent Democrats--and I'm not talking about Blago. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn in the space of two days flip-flopped from supporting a special election to advocating appointing the next Senator himself as acting governor. The Illinois GOP has taken note of Madigan's remarks:
“As you know, the Illinois Legislature is coming into session on Monday to change the law to put in place a special election to determine who is the next U.S. Senator. And so should that occur, I presume that but I do not know because I am not the Lt. Governor, that he would [Quinn] probably agree that the will of the people having been expressed through the legislature should prevail, and hopefully he would sign the legislation.
“I am familiar with his [Quinn] statement. I think the legislature is very wise at this point considering the fact that Governor Blagojevich was apparently attempting to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate, to change the law here in Illinois and provide for a Special Election.”
- From Madigan Press Conference, December 12, 2008
Video: Illinois voters want a special election as well. Rasmussen:
Sixty-six percent (66%) of all Illinois voters say the state should hold a special election to fill Obama’s Senate seat rather than let Governor Rod Blagojevich or his successor appoint a replacement.The Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna:
Quinn was elected twice on the same ticket with Blagojevich and benefited from millions of dollars in tainted campaign contributions that are now under scrutiny as part of a widespread federal investigation.
Further, knowing Blagojevich was under federal investigation in 2006, Quinn campaigned alongside Governor Blagojevich, calling him an honest man after revelations of the Governor accepting a $1,500 check in exchange for him doling out a state job were revealed.
Quinn recently admitted that he has not spoken to Rod Blagojevich in a year and a half.
"We don't need an elected official who was asleep at the switch while serving as Lieutenant Governor, appointing the next U.S. Senator from Illinois," said McKenna.
State Senator Christine Radogno late yesterday:
We demand a special election. Let the voters of Illinois decide.LEMONT -- Senate Republican Leader-Elect Christine Radogno today reacted quickly to suggestions that the Lieutenant Governor should appoint the next U.S. Senator from Illinois.
“It is ludicrous to talk about anyone appointing the next United States Senator,” Sen. Radogno said. “This decision absolutely must be made by the voters of Illinois. The only way to do that is to establish a Special Election that puts the power where it belongs -- in the hands of Illinois citizens.”
Radogno said, “There is no way that an appointment process can be free from the stench of this corrupt Administration.”
Radogno is currently reviewing draft legislation that would allow for a Special Election to be conducted in conjunction with the already-established municipal elections in February and April.
“By piggy-backing onto the municipal elections, we can help save the taxpayers millions while at the same time providing voters the opportunity to make their choice,” Radogno said.
Radogno is working with other legislators to have the legislation ready for the General Assembly’s return to the Capitol on Monday, Dec. 15.
“We must address this quickly to remove Gov. Blagojevich and his Administration from the process,” Radogno said.
Radogno earlier this week joined leaders across the country in calling for Blagojevich’s resignation.
UPDATE:
Incoming-NRSC Chair Statement on Senator Durbin’s Special Election Backpedaling
Illinois Senator Backs-Off Calls For Special Election After Opposition From Senator Reid
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, incoming-Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), made the following statement today regarding a story by RollCall newspaper, “Durbin Softens Special Election Demand,” in which Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill) backed away from his previously-firm position that a special election should be held to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat.
“Earlier this week, Senator Durbin made clear that the taint of corruption surrounding this process demanded a special election by the people of Illinois. I could not agree more. The people should have a voice in this process, and the next Senator of Illinois should be chosen in the light of day, not in the backrooms of Washington or Springfield. No hand-picked appointee made by the Blagojevich administration could possibly be seen as appropriate or legitimate by the people or by the Senate. So I sincerely hope that Senator Durbin will continue to advocate for what he himself has said is the right thing to do, and not bend to pressure from Senator Reid and other Washington powerbrokers who want to cut the people out of this process.”
BACKGROUND -- In an interview with RollCall, Durbin expressed his hope that “we can at least consider the option of an appointment.” Durbin’s new position comes less than 48 hours after Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) broke with Durbin and other Members of the Illinois Democratic congressional delegation, and made clear he preferred the seat to be filled by appointment, instead of an election, presumably to ensure the seat remains in Democratic hands.
UPDATE:WaPo's Chris Cillizza:
Given the forces lining up behind the idea of a special election, it may be hard for Reid et al. to stand in the way. Politics is about perception and, right now, Democrats can't risk being seen as trying to subvert the democratic process. Yes, the law may say that the governor -- whoever that might be -- gets to appoint the next senator but just a few days ago leading Democrats were ready to change the law to allow for a special election. The initial support for a special election from the likes of Durbin, Madigan and Jones complicates the argument that a special is now no longer the best way to replace Obama.
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